Charlotte native a projected 1st round NFL draft pick, on Panthers’ radar

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – A soccer participant from Charlotte will see his NFL desires come true this week.

Kevin “KC” Concepcion is likely one of the high vast receivers within the 2026 class, and is penciled in as a first-round choose in lots of mock drafts.

Concepcion starred at Chambers High School in northeast Charlotte earlier than he joined the soccer crew at NC State. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2023 with the Wolfpack, when he set freshman information for many catches and receiving touchdowns.

His sophomore season at NC State was not fairly as eye-popping, however he was nonetheless productive and transferred to Texas A&M for the 2025 season. It was with the Aggies that he started to realize nationwide consideration.

With 919 receiving yards and 9 landing receptions, he led Texas A&M in each classes, on a crew that made the College Football Playoff. He added one other speeding rating, and returned two factors for touchdowns.

At the NFL Combine in February, Concepcion told the media that he’s a “playmaker” and talked at size about his versatility.

“I’m versatile,” he stated at one level. “I can play inside receiver, outside receiver, running back, punt return, kick return.”

“I always knew I could play any position on the field,” he stated later on. “I’m grateful for NC State allowing me to be able to showcase what I can do from the slot.”

As for the motivation behind his transfer to Texas A&M, Concepcion stated he wished to show he’s a full receiver.

“I wanted to show everyone that I’m not just a gadget guy,” he stated. “I can run routes. I can run the full route tree.”

Standing proper round six ft tall and weighing about 200 kilos, Concepcion is much from the most important vast receiver on this yr’s draft. But what he lacks in dimension he makes up for in playmaking potential.

“As soon as I get the ball in my hands, it’s electric,” he stated at February’s mix. “I will never let the first guy take me down… It doesn’t matter if it’s a screen, if it’s a slant, if it’s a fade, any route really.”

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein used phrases reminiscent of “elusive,” “immediate burst,” “instinctive” and “a nightmare for man coverage” to explain Concepcion’s recreation.

one latest draft mock printed by ESPN had the Charlotte native going as excessive because the twenty first choose to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Most mocks have him being taken in both the again half of the primary round or the highest half of the second round.

Panthers ‘very conscious’ of Concepcion

As for if he has considered becoming a member of his hometown Carolina Panthers, who maintain the nineteenth choose, it has apparently crossed his thoughts.

“I think about it all the time,” he stated through panthers.com. “I would love to go back home. I was raised up there. Bryce Young, you know, he’s an amazing quarterback.”

The Panthers took vast receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette within the first round of the 2025 and 2024 drafts, however Carolina basic supervisor Dan Morgan has not dominated out selecting a first-round receiver three years in a row.

“We’re going to take the best player,” Morgan stated in an April 14 press conference. “I wouldn’t hesitate to draft another wideout. I don’t think there’s a rule that says you can’t draft a receiver three years in a row.”

At the mix in February, Morgan said the Panthers had been “very aware” of Concepcion. He additionally had a pre-draft go to with Carolina, as have fellow receivers Omar Cooper Jr., Deion Burks and Denzel Boston.

A Charlotte homecoming is much from a certainty — but it surely may occur later this week.

The first round of this yr’s draft is ready for Thursday, April 23, with the second and third rounds scheduled for Friday evening. The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds will wrap up the three-day occasion on Saturday.

Live draft protection shall be accessible on ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network.

Also Read: Quarterback from Charlotte signs with hometown Carolina Panthers